China grain output to exceed 510 mln tonnes in 2008

China expects an increase in grain output for the fifth consecutive year in 2008, with production to exceed 510 million tonnes, according to the state grain information center.

"We estimated that this year's harvest would reach 511.5 million tonnes, up more than 10 million tonnes from 2007," the center's vice-director Yang Weilu was quoted as saying by China Securities Journal on Monday.